A metal detector enthusiast who found one of the largest hoards of Roman coins in Britain was hoping for a substantial reward after his find was declared treasure.
Dave Crisp found around 52,000 coins dating from the 3rd century AD buried in a field near Frome in Somerset in April.
The coins, made from debased silver or bronze, were in a ceramic pot just over a foot below the surface.
The find also included coins issued during the reign of Carausius from 286 to 293. He was the first Roman emperor to strike coins in Britain.
Mr Crisp said: "I have been metal detecting since 1988 and this hoard is the most exciting and important find that I have ever made."
The find was declared treasure and property of the Crown at an inquest at East Somerset Coroner's Court in Frome on Thursday.
Under the Treasure Act, Somerset County Council Heritage Service can buy the hoard for its new Museum of Somerset when it reopens in 2011.
The amount to be split between Mr Crisp and the landowner will be set by the Treasure Valuation Committee in the coming weeks.
Mr Crisp, from Devizes, Wiltshire, joined staff from the British Museum at a public event in Frome library after the inquest.
Since the discovery in late April - which weighed around 160kg - experts from the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) at the British Museum have been sifting through the coins. They believe the stash was probably intended as some sort of religious offering, rather than storage for later use.
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